2021 REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATURE
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2021 REPORT TO THE
GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATURE
–1–
–2–
COMMISSION MEMBERS
Ms. Kelly Carter, Commission Chair, Michigan Department of Attorney General
Mr. Forrest Pasanski, Vice-Chair, Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Ms. Jayshona Hicks, Office of the Governor (partial year – now vacant)
Ms. Debi Cain, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Victim
Services, Michigan Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention and Treatment Board
D/Lt. Edward Price, Michigan State Police
Hon. Lisa K. McCormick, Ingham County Circuit Court, Family Division
Mr. Jeff S. Getting, Kalamazoo County Prosecuting Attorney
Chief Chad Baugh, Canton Township Police Department
Ms. Judy Emmons, Office of Senator Rick Outman; Emmons Farms
Ms. Kathy Maitland, Michigan Abolitionist Project
Ms. Elizabeth Moon Carter, The Salvation Army
Mr. Hassan Beydoun, City of Detroit
Ms. Joyce A. Dixson-Haskett, Daylily Health, LLC
Ms. Alice Johnson, Neighborhood Legal Services of Michigan; Sister Survivor National
Connect
–3–
Message from the Attorney General: Dana Nessel
Dear Reader:
This year saw the expiration of the two-year terms of nine of the 14 Commission seats.
Unfortunately, the Commission said farewell to five members: Shari Montgomery, Hon.
Michelle Rick, Prosecuting Attorney David Leyton, Deborah Monroe, and Fadowa Harrel.
The Commission was well served by these departing members and we thank each for their
time, service and contributions.
Those departures meant that the Commission welcomed new termed appointees:
returning Commissioner Kathy Maitland, Hon. Lisa McCormick, Prosecuting Attorney
Jeff Getting, Joyce Dixson-Haskett, and Alice Johnson. We were pleased to welcome the
reappointment of Judy Emmons, Elizabeth Moon-Carter, Hassan Beydoun and Chief Chad
Baugh.
The Governor’s designee also changed this year. Alicia Moon represented the Governor’s
office for a brief time, succeeded by Jayshona Hicks until she left the Governor’s office
at the end of May. The Commission eagerly awaits a new designee from the Governor’s
office.
In spite of the membership changes, it didn’t take long for the body to coalesce. Our new
members fit right in, bringing new perspectives and fresh ideas. In fact, the Commission
has shown remarkable progress this year identifying and creating meaningful and valuable
information on human trafficking. The Funding and Resources Committee created and
hosted a 4-part workshop series on Building Capacity for Funding Anti-Human Trafficking
Efforts. The Public Awareness Committee deployed the public awareness campaign
through regularly issued updates on human trafficking information and the Training and
Education Committee approved for availability on the Commission website a slew of new
trainings.
Also this year, the Commission welcomed new leadership with the election of Vice-Chair,
Forrest Pasanski of LARA who replaces our inaugural Vice-
Chair, Prosecutor David Leyton. The procedure of electing our
new Vice-Chair led to a full review of the Commission bylaws,
originally adopted in 2015 and unchanged since. The most
significant update to the bylaws expanded the opportunity for
Commissioners to participate remotely in full Commission
meetings. However, the bylaw review also reminded us that
the work of the Commission is divided into “Committees,”
rather than subcommittees. Thus, you may note that change in
terminology throughout this report.
–4–
This year saw continued, even renewed, attention to the crime of human trafficking. The
issuance of human trafficking charges against John Geddert, and the conviction of R.
Kelly and Ghislaine Maxwell of human trafficking all continue to highlight the realities of
trafficking, including victim vulnerabilities, methods of recruitment and exploitation.
As we look ahead, I am encouraged by continued attention to the crime, its victims
and survivors and efforts to prevent trafficking. I continue to be impressed with the
Commission’s accomplishments, especially considering its lack of funding. Yet, though the
dedication and passion of the Commission members, community partners and Department
of Attorney General staff, the Commission continues to progress.
Sincerely,
Dana Nessel
Attorney General, State of Michigan
–5–
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Background.............................................................. 7
Commission Meetings.............................................. 8
Committee Overview................................................ 8
Data Collection and Research....................................................... 9
Funding and Resources........................................................ 11
Policy and Legislation.......................................................... 13
Public Awareness............................................................... 18
Training and Education................................................................. 21
Victim Services.................................................................. 23
Conclusion............................................................... 25
–6–
BACKGROUND
The first Michigan Commission on Human Section 4(a). Identify sources for grants
Trafficking was launched in March 2013. that will assist in examining and countering
The Commission immediately began human trafficking in this state and apply for
gathering information. Numerous experts those grants when appropriate.
gave presentations to the Commission,
Section 4(b). Fund research programs to
including those in law enforcement, health
determine the extent and nature of human
care, academia, non-profit organizations,
trafficking in this state.
and Attorneys General from other states.
The Commission also heard heart-breaking Section 4(c). Provide information and
survivor testimonies. That work resulted in training regarding human trafficking to police
a comprehensive package of bills that the officers, prosecutors, court personnel, health
Legislature enacted and was signed into care providers, social services personnel, and
law in 2014. The legislation included safe other individuals the commission considers
harbor provisions and stronger tools to hold appropriate.
traffickers accountable. It also created the
Michigan Human Trafficking Commission, a Section 4(d). Collect and analyze information
standing commission within the Department regarding human trafficking in this state.
of Attorney General. By statute, the
Section 4(e). Identify state and local agencies
Commission has five members designated
within this state and other states, as well
by various state agencies and other
as within the federal government, that
organizations and nine members appointed
are involved with issues related to human
by the Governor to represent various groups
trafficking, and coordinate the dissemination
and officials. The Commission’s mission as
of information regarding human trafficking in
set forth in statute, Public Act 325 of 2014,
this state to those agencies.
includes the following:
Section 4(f). Review the existing services
available to assist victims of human
trafficking, including crime victim assistance,
health care, and legal assistance, and
establish a program to make those victims
better aware of the services that are available
to them.
“I am extremely impressed
with the progress the Section 4(g). Establish a program to improve
Commission has made this public awareness of human trafficking.
year. The pandemic has required
Section 4(h). Review state laws and
the Commission to be flexible and
administrative rules relating to human
adapt while continuing to accomplish
trafficking and make recommendations to the
their mission. The Commission has
legislature to improve those laws and rules to
exceeded all expectations.”
address human trafficking violations in this
state.
--Dana Nessel, Michigan Attorney General
–7–
COMMISSION
COMMITTEE OVERVIEW
MEETINGS
The Human Trafficking Commission operates with seven The Michigan Human Trafficking
committees: Commission met on the following
dates during 2021:
1. Data Collection and Research: This committee is
charged with reviewing strategies to collect statewide Tuesday, January 19, 2021
data to enable policymakers and law enforcement to
assess progress in their efforts to tackle this growing Tuesday, April 13, 2021
problem.
Tuesday, June 22, 2021
2. Funding and Resources: This committee is charged with
identifying and applying for potential grants and other Tuesday, October 5, 2021
forms of funding.
Wednesday, November 10, 2021
3. Policy and Legislation: This committee is charged
with reviewing Michigan’s human trafficking laws and
policies to determine whether new legislation or policy
changes are required.
4. Public Awareness: This committee is charged with
developing strategies to raise public awareness of
human trafficking.
5. Training and Education: This committee is charged
with reviewing existing training efforts for professionals ““I am continually impressed
and determining how those efforts can be enhanced by the Commission’s
and expanded. These professionals include various accomplishments. In a year
groups who may encounter human trafficking such as: that saw significant changes
law enforcement, health care providers, social-service in membership, the group was
providers, hospitality providers, and those in code invigorated. Having focused
enforcement and regulatory agencies. last year on setting standards,
this year, the Michigan Human
6. Victim Services: This committee is charged with Trafficking Commission has
reviewing the needs of human trafficking survivors to set an impressive pace of
determine how those needs can be met at the local and identifying and providing
state levels. valuable information to assist
those learning about the crime,
7. Courts/Summit: This committee was established in the needs of victims, and those
October 2015. The subcommittee focuses on planning fighting the fight.””
future conferences and working cooperatively with --Kelly Carter, Michigan Human
Michigan courts on human trafficking issues. Trafficking Commission Chair
–8–
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DATA COLLECTION AND RESEARCH
Committee Members:
Ms. Elizabeth Moon Carter, Committee Chair, The Salvation Army
Chief Chad Baugh, Canton Township Police Department
Ms. Joyce A. Dixson-Haskett, Daylily Health, LLC
Mr. Forrest Pasanski, Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Mr. Kristopher McNeil, Measurable Change
The Committee began the year focusing on how to best analyze and utilize a set of data
collected from service providers in Southeast Michigan who had provided services to
victims and survivors of human trafficking from 2015 – 2019. The Subcommittee’s goal
in reviewing the data is to determine how this information may be used to meaningfully
improve services to survivors. The Salvation Army has served as the data hub for
reports from these service providers, due to the Salvation Army’s receipt of a federal
grant. The analysis of this data has proved challenging due to lack of consistency or
incompleteness in the reporting.
Review of that data led the Committee to conclude that there is a need to concisely
identify and create a standardized data reporting framework specifically for victim
service providers with categories for victim typology and services provided. The goal
of this project is to identify for providers the types of data which should be tracked.
Once the data set is identified, the Committee will begin collecting data from service
providers across the state to provide a periodic snapshot of trends in human trafficking
victimization and service provision across Michigan. Ultimately, the Committee intends
to publish this data on the Commission’s webpage as a valuable resource, especially for
organizations applying for grants and crafting policy and legislation.
The Committee has completed a draft document defining the victim typology and
service list, drawing from definitions found in federal grant reporting requirements for
human trafficking service providers. To help validate terms and categories used in the
document and understand data collection methods currently used by service providers,
the Committee has begun the process of obtaining input from a diverse group of
providers from across the state.
–10–Additional data was gathered by the Policy and Legislation Committee seeking data
in support of pending legislation proposing to overhaul the penal code’s approach to
prostitution. To that end, the Policy and Legislation Committee has collected state-
wide data on prostitution arrests and charges over the past decade from the Michigan
Incident Crime Reporting database maintained by the Michigan State Police (MSP) and
the Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan. The Committee will work to identify
a partnership with an academic institution to assist in reviewing and analyzing the
collected data.
“ I am proud of the continued work and progress of the
Commission this year. The Commission continues to
strengthen Michigan’s response to combating human
trafficking.”
-- D/Lt. Edward Price, Michigan State Police
–11–FUNDING AND RESOURCES
Committee Members:
Ms. Margaret Talburtt, Committee Chair
Mr. Hassan Beydoun, City of Detroit
Ms. Debi Cain, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Victim
Services, Michigan Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention and Treatment Board
Ms. Jayshona Hicks, Office of the Governor
The Committee finished up 2020 with new enthusiasm for providing resources to those
entities hoping to obtain funding for their anti-human trafficking efforts. The Committee
began the year planning a series of half-day virtual workshops to equip potential
grantees with tools, resources, and information to successfully apply for, receive and
administer grant funding.
The committee proceeded to develop a curriculum for potential grant applicants ranging
from funding for beginners all the way up to strategies for securing federal grants. The
Committee, together with the Michigan Abolitionist Project (MAP), led by Commissioner
Kathy Maitland, created three separate half day workshops providing tools, resources,
and information to successfully apply for, receive, and administer a variety of funding
resources to support provision of services to victims of trafficking. The first three free
workshops in the “Building Capacity for Funding Anti-Human Trafficking Efforts” were
offered virtually in March of 2021, in anticipation of the spring cycle of federal grant
announcements.
Part 1: Is My Organization Ready to Apply for Grant Funding?
Part 2: Fund Development Overview
Part 3: Federal Grants: The Process and Development of Your Resources
Presenters for each workshop were selected for their expertise, experience and
success procuring funding for service provision organizations, especially those serving
victims and survivors of human trafficking. Each workshop was well attended and
well received. The workshops were recorded and are available on the Commission’s
webpage free of charge.
–12–After the very positive feedback from the first three workshops, the Committee
recognized that a fourth session was needed to increase understanding on state
Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) fund applications and administration. The Committee,
again with MAP, planned and presented a fourth free three-hour virtual workshop in
November. The Committee again sought out experts and were happy to include staff
from the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Victim Services,
administrators of state VOCA funding, together with panelists experienced in obtaining
and administering VOCA grants. The VOCA workshop was also recorded. Now, the
Commission website is home to the entire four-part workshop series, free to all.
The Committee looks forward to continuing to support those pursing funding for anti-
human trafficking efforts by focusing next on developing published resources to aid in
grant applications including a fact sheet providing information about human trafficking
in Michigan. The Committee is looking forward to working with the Data and Research
Committee to utilize the standardized data collected from their ongoing data project.
“I’m especially proud of the work the Commission has
done this past year. Despite an ongoing pandemic, the
Commission increased efforts to connect service providers
with funding, advocate for legislation, and dispel myths and
misconceptions about this horrific crime.”
-- Hassan Beydoun, City of Detroit
–13–POLICY AND LEGISLATION
Committee Members:
Ms. Kelly Carter, Committee Chair, Assistant Attorney General
Mr. Hassan Beydoun, City of Detroit
Mr. Jeff S. Getting, Kalamazoo County Prosecuting Attorney
Hon. Lisa K. McCormick, Ingham County Circuit Court, Family Division
D/Lt. Edward Price, Michigan State Police
In late 2019, the Commission voted to recommend a package of 30 bills addressing
issues related to human trafficking including mandatory training, criminal justice
issues and prostitution. The recommendations resulted from a Legislative Workgroup
comprised of bi-cameral and bipartisan legislators, legislative staff as well as
stakeholders such as law-enforcement and victim service providers. The group worked
through the second half of 2019 on a number of legislative proposals across three
categories: criminal justice, training, and funding. While the resulting package was
comprised primarily of criminal justice and training proposals the workgroup identified a
number of proposals that are worthy of additional consideration.
By early 2020, all but one of the Commission recommendations had been introduced
as bills in the Michigan Legislature. Unfortunately, shortly thereafter, the Covid-19
pandemic took hold and consumed the legislative focus. During 2021, the majority of
the 30 bills had been reintroduced. There was some legislative action on the introduced
bills this year. In March, several bill sponsors, Attorney General Dana Nessel and
Commission Chair, Kelly Carter testified before the House Judiciary Committee in
support of the package. In May, Chair Carter testified again before the House Judiciary
Committee in support of several of the bills individually. However, movement on the
package seemed to end there. The Committee continues to back the proposals and will
work for their reintroduction next year. The package is detailed below.
The 2019-2020 Human Trafficking Legislative Package Reintroduced in 2021
Criminal Justice:
The workgroup developed a number of criminal justice proposals either directly
benefitting trafficking victims or strengthening prosecutor tools to hold traffickers
accountable.
–14–STRENGTHENING VICTIM AND SURVIVOR PROTECTIONS
Expanded Minor Rebuttable Presumption: Recognizing the many challenges that
minor sex trafficking victims face, the workgroup developed a proposal to expand
the rebuttable presumption afforded to minors found in commercial sexual activity
situation. Previously, a minor who was presumed to be a victim of sex trafficking was
required to substantially comply with court-ordered services in order to preserve that
presumption. Now, rather than failure to comply with court-ordered services being a
complete bar to a minor benefitting from the presumption, a court can consider the
minor’s compliance a factor to consider in continuing the presumption.
Expansion of adult and juvenile HT victim expungement: Expanding the special human
trafficking expungement to apply to all crimes will allow survivors to clear their record of
convictions for crimes committed as a result of trafficking.
As the Commission works with those who assist survivors of trafficking, we are
enlightened in the ways that victims continue to suffer. Previously, the Commission
had proposed bills allowing victims to clear their trafficking-related convictions for
minor state prostitution offenses. That was expanded to include previously overlooked
minor prostitution ordinance violations, only to again realize we have victims who are
prevented relief because they were, instead, charged with loitering or disorderly person
as a “common prostitute.”
Rather than continuing to incrementally expand the commercial sex-related crime list,
the Commission is recommending a more comprehensive expansion of the Safe Harbor
expungement beyond the current commercial sex-related crimes. Through repeated
and continuous interaction with victims in both a service provision scenario as well as
victims cooperating in criminal prosecution, we repeatedly see victims who are forced
by their traffickers to engage in other types of criminal activity commonly including
drug offenses, theft offenses, gun offenses and other various offenses. In recognition
of the realities of human trafficking victims, there are two bills that seek to expand
expungement opportunities for human trafficking victims under an adult approach as
well as expansion of expungement for juvenile offenses.
Affirmative Defense for Victims of Human Trafficking: Along the same lines as
expungement, the Commission has recommended creation of an affirmative defense
for victims of human trafficking to prevent future convictions for crimes committed as a
result of trafficking. The proposal would create an affirmative defense to any crime for
a victim of human trafficking who can establish that the commission of the crime was a
direct result of their being a victim of human trafficking.
–15–STRENGTHENING TOOLS TO HOLD TRAFFICKERS ACCOUNTABLE
Amend Expert Testimony for Human Trafficking cases: For years, case-law in Michigan (as
across the country) has been developing to allow expert testimony at trial to explain victim
behavior where it would seem to deviate from what the general public would expect. The
development has come in the areas of domestic violence and sexual assaults, but there
have been no cases in Michigan extending the same to human trafficking cases. The same
challenges exist in human trafficking cases as domestic violence and sexual assault cases,
indeed even more so in human trafficking cases.
Although a law was enacted in 2017 that sought to permit the introduction of expert
witness testimony, that new provision only goes so far as allowing the expert testimony
if it “is otherwise admissible under the rules of evidence as laws of this state.” MCL
750.762g(2). Unfortunately, the amendment as enacted fails to be specific enough to
address the problem. The proposed amendment would specifically codify case law which
sets forth the appropriate standard a court should apply in determining who meets the
qualifications to provide expert testimony under these circumstances.
Expand Statutory Immunity for Compelled Testimony to Human Trafficking Chapter:
The prostitution chapter includes statutory immunity for any person compelled to give
testimony in a case involving charges from the prostitution chapter. No doubt, this is in
recognition that those who have committed criminal acts such as prostitution, would be
unwilling to provide testimony about those controlling the prostitution for fear of exposing
themselves to criminal liability. This is equally true – if not more so – in human trafficking
cases. Accordingly, we are recommending that the prostitution immunity provision be
added to the human trafficking chapter.
Include Human Trafficking in propensity evidence expansion: Last year’s sexual assault
package saw the expansion of the introduction of propensity evidence in domestic violence
and sexual assault cases to now include sexual assault crimes committed against adults.
Again, given the incredible similarities between domestic violence, sexual assault and
trafficking cases – particularly sex trafficking, the Commission is recommending adding
human trafficking to the class of crimes in which propensity evidence is admissible.
NEW COMMERCIAL SEXUAL ACTIVITY STATUTE:
MODERNIZING THE PROSTITUTION CHAPTER
Finally, in recognition of the inescapable overlap between sex trafficking and “prostitution”
there are over a dozen proposals that fundamentally alter the landscape with regard to
what should formally be known as prostitution. Starting from realization that nowhere
previously in Michigan state statute was the crime of “prostitution” ever defined, but more
importantly, recognizing the stigma and judgment that is so often inflicted with the use of
the term “prostitution” the Commission embraced the recommendation that we replace
the term “prostitution” throughout Michigan law with the defined term: commercial sexual
activity. The package contains over a dozen recommendations that seek to strike the
term prostitution and all references to it throughout the Michigan code. Instead that term
would be replaced with the term commercial sexual activity that is defined in the human
trafficking chapter as generally, a sex act provided in exchange for something of value.
–16–In addition to the change of terminology, the package includes recommendations for
additional changes to the former prostitution - now commercial sexual activity statute
– chapter. Those proposals would clearly and unambiguously define the crimes of
providing commercial sexual activity and obtaining commercial sexual activity. The
crime of providing commercial sexual activity would not only specifically include an
exemption for commercial sexual activity provided through force fraud or coercion [sex
trafficking], but would also create an exemption for a victim of pandering - a 20 yearr
felony - wherein the panderer through inducement, persuasion or encouragement, by
promise, threat or scheme, causes the “provider” to engage in the commercial sexual
act.
What’s more, this recommendation seeks to recognize the increased level of
vulnerability of those providing commercial sexual acts as opposed to those from a
position of power obtaining commercial sexual acts. To that end the recommendation
would decrease penalties for providers of commercial sexual activity to misdemeanors
while conversely increasing penalties for obtainers of commercial sexual activity to
all felonies. Additional changes to the former prostitution -now commercial sexual
activity statute would replace archaic language with more applicable and appropriate
descriptions of the realities of commercial sexual activity today. Thus, terminology
such as “house of ill fame,” or “bawdy house” would be replaced with terminology
accurately reflecting the current state of commercial sexual activity.
2019 Proposals to be Reintroduced
As identified above, the 2019 legislative Recommendations by the Commission included
a number of legislative proposals aimed at addressing human trafficking training.
These recommendations were not reintroduced this year. The Committee will continue
to work for reintroduction and passage of these proposals.
Training: The work regarding human trafficking training legislation focused on
developing mandates for additional professionals to receive training in human
trafficking. Included in the 2014 human trafficking legislative package was a mandate
that licensed health professionals receive training on human trafficking prior to
licensure or re-licensure. This original mandate directed the Department of Licensing
and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) to work with each board responsible for licensing the
various health professional to develop rules and procedures regarding the human
trafficking training. The various boards developed consistent, if non-specific, rules for
what would satisfy the training mandate.
Yet, the effectiveness of the training mandate has been evident. Requests for training
and presentations have increased dramatically. Moreover, reports to the National
Human Trafficking tip-line by health professionals has increased noticeably.
Given the demonstrated success in mandating training for healthcare licensees, the
workgroup identified additional professions that were amenable to mandated training
on human trafficking. While the list was longer, several professions were not as
amenable to a mandate as they are not regulated or licensed by a centralized entity.
–17–While there was consideration of implementing training for hotel and hospitality
professionals, continued work will be necessary to develop an approach that effectively
targets that group. Regarding other identified professions, who are licensed or
regulated, the workgroup developed a working template for implementing human
trafficking training in this package and going forward. The approach is two-pronged:
the mandate on the licensing side and the added Commission requirement to develop
minimum standards for training.
On the licensing side, each new mandate requires the licensing entity to develop
training which references recommendations for minimum standards for training.
Those professions that will now be required to receive human trafficking training for
licensure include commercial driver’s, educators and educational-based counselors, and
cosmetologists.
On the training standards side, the companion bill now amends the Human Trafficking
Commission Act to develop those minimum standards for training. Thus, going
forward, as other licensed and regulated professions are identified as being appropriate
for mandated human trafficking training, each mandate will reference the minimum
standards for training developed by the Commission.
In addition to the package already introduced, the Commission’s Policy and Legislative
Committee will continue to work on the area of identifying reliable sustained funding for
the Human Trafficking Commission, victim services and training on human trafficking,
as well as evaluating emerging trends in nation-wide human trafficking legislative
efforts.
“It has been an honor to serve on the Commission. Human trafficking
remains one of the dark secrets in our state. The work that the
Commission is doing to expose what is happening, to make sure
that our law enforcement partners have the laws and resources
that they need to properly investigate it, and to hold those persons
responsible that engage in these crimes is incredibly important. Most
importantly, I am proud of the work being done to not only protect the
victims from their abusers but also to make sure that the criminal
justice system recognizes that they are victims and that they are
being treated that way.”
-- Jeff S. Getting, Kalamazoo County Prosecuting Attorney
–18––19–
PUBLIC AWARENESS
Committee Members:
Ms. Kelly Carter, Committee Chair, Michigan Department of Attorney General
Ms. Joyce A. Dixson-Haskett, Daylily Health, LLC
Ms. Judy Emmons, Office of Senator Rick Outman; Emmons Farms
Ms. Jayshona Hicks, Office of the Governor
Ms. Alice Johnson, Neighborhood Legal Services of Michigan; Sister Survivor National
Connect
Ms. Kathy Maitland, Michigan Abolitionist Project
Mr. Kristopher McNeil, Measurable Change
The Committee began the year in January of 2021, facilitating collaboration between
the Commission and the Governor’s office for issuance of a gubernatorial proclamation
of January as Human Trafficking Awareness month in the State of Michigan.
Throughout 2020, the Committee focused on developing an infrastructure to deliver
a comprehensive Human Trafficking Awareness campaign via social media. The
Committee’s focus during 2021 was deploying the delivery of the Human Trafficking
Public Awareness material.
Utilizing the “updates” section of the website, information on human trafficking is
available to interested parties upon viewing on the website directly or via subscription
delivered via email or other social media platforms. These updates now include
information about the Commission as well as general information on human trafficking,
such as articles on the issue, information about changes in state and federal laws on
trafficking, reports on work on human trafficking issues from across the state and other
pertinent information.
Equipped with the guidelines for providing human trafficking resources developed last
year, the Committee worked to identify, evaluate, and recommend for distribution as
updates a library full of helpful human trafficking resources. The updates are delivered
bi-weekly via email to over eight hundred subscribers, and are available on the webpage.
The Committee reviewed and recommended the following for distribution as public
awareness updates:
–20–From the Office of Victims of Crime at the Office of Justice Programs:
• “The Faces of Human Trafficking,” a one-minute Public Service Announcement.
• “An Introduction to Human Trafficking in the United States,” a fact sheet.
• “Faces of Human Trafficking Video 1: An Introduction,” a video introducing the
issue of human trafficking—both sex and labor trafficking—in the United States.
• “The Legal Rights and Needs of Victims of Human Trafficking in the United
States,” a fact sheet.
• “Know the Faces of Human Trafficking Posters – Suamhirs,” a poster depicting
male survivor.
• “Faces of Human Trafficking Video 2: An Introduction to Sex Trafficking,” a video
providing an overview of sex trafficking featuring survivors and professionals.
• “The Special Issues Facing Juvenile Victims of Human Trafficking in the United
States,” a fact sheet.
• “Building Effective Collaborations to Address Human Trafficking,” a fact sheet.
From The Michigan Human Trafficking Task Force, in collaboration with Professor
Bridgette Carr, Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives and Clinical Professor of
Law, University of Michigan Law School, a series of short videos addressing Myths
Surrounding Human Trafficking:
• “Super Bowl”
• “Kidnappings”
• “Invisible Labor”
• “Things”
• “Ranked”
• “Why Don’t We Know”
• “Who is a Victim”
• “Reality”
• “Change Our Focus”
• “Our Kids”
• “Success”
• “We Created Demand”
• “What is Trafficking”
–21–From Polaris Project:
• “On-Ramps, Intersections, and Exit Routes: A Roadmap for Systems and
Industries to Prevent and Disrupt Human Trafficking,” a report summary
highlighting the connection between human trafficking and legitimate segments
of industries and businesses.
• “The Typology of Modern Slavery: Defining Sex and Labor Trafficking in the United
States,” a summary and video of a larger analysis of human trafficking cases.
• “Understanding and Reporting Human Trafficking,” a public awareness video in
collaboration with Uber and introduced by Michigan Attorney General Nessel.
From the Administration for Children and Families, a division of the U.S. Department
of Health & Human Services “Out of the Shadows: Exposing the Myths of Human
Trafficking,” a flyer addressing myths about human trafficking.
From the Michigan Department of Attorney General “Safe Harbor for Trafficking
Victims in Michigan,” a fact sheet on statutory protections for sex trafficking victims in
Michigan.
The Committee continues to identify, evaluate and recommend informative resources to
keep the public informed about human trafficking.
“The Commission is a team of experts in their perspective fields,
coming together to bring information, training and resources to
the communities throughout Michigan on human trafficking. It is a
great honor to be a part of the Commission. We are working hard
collectively and separately to bring the most accurate and current
best practices available to the public for the benefit of the people.”
-- Alice Johnson, Neighborhood Legal Services of Michigan; Sister
Survivor National Connect
–22––23–
TRAINING AND EDUCATION
Committee Members:
Chief Chad Baugh, Committee Chair, Canton Township Police Department,
Mr. Jeff S. Getting, Kalamazoo County Prosecuting Attorney
Mr. Forrest Pasanski, Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
D/Lt. Edward Price, Michigan State Police
Hon. Lisa K. McCormick, Ingham County Circuit Court, Family Division
Mr. Kristopher McNeil, Measurable Change
Mr. Andy Soper, Measurable Change
After developing and adopting guidelines for evaluation of third-party trainings in
2020, the Training and Education Committee focused on implementing the evaluation
process by reviewing a number of training materials on human trafficking for various
professional audiences. The Committee had identified a number of online publicly
available training sources.
Throughout 2021, the Committee evaluated and recommended posting of a number
of valuable trainings. The full Commission approved and recommended the following
trainings for posting on the Commission webpage:
• “Mapping Exploitation – Escort Services,” by Measurable Change, a two-hour
online interactive training;
• “Addressing Human Trafficking in Healthcare Settings,” by University of Michigan
Human Trafficking Collaborative, a two-hour online training with CEUs;
• “The Crime of Human Trafficking,” by the International Association of Chiefs of
Police (IACP), including a series of Roll-Call Training Videos consisting of three
short videos
• Defining the Crime
• Identifying and Responding
• Investigating and Interviewing
together with a more extensive resource: “A Law Enforcement Guide to
Identification and Investigation.”
–24–The Committee will continue to identify, evaluate, and recommend for posting on
the Commission’s training website additional valuable human trafficking training for
professionals.
The Commission also approved a Commission sponsored training: “Sex Trafficking
Investigations for Law Enforcement: Sleuthing Force, Fraud or Coercion–Dispelling the
“Consensual” Myth.” This training was a culmination of ongoing conversations across
the Policy and Legislation, Victim Services, and Funding and Resources committees.
The training is expected to be developed by early 2022 and offered early in the year.
Also stemming from collaboration with the Policy and Legislation Committee, early
planning is underway on creating a training for the defense bar for those who may be
(unknowingly) representing victims of sex trafficking with a view toward highlighting
statutory protections available for sex trafficking victims.
“As a member of this commission, I am impressed with the
knowledge, background, and expertise of all commission members
appointed. I am honored to work collectively towards ensuring
public awareness and promoting education, as well as the training
necessary to combat human trafficking.”
-- Hon. Lisa K. McCormick, Ingham County Circuit Court, Family
Division
–25–VICTIM SERVICES
Committee Members:
Ms. Kathy Maitland, Committee Chair, Michigan Abolitionist Project,
Ms. Debi Cain, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Victim
Services, Michigan Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention and Treatment Board
Ms. Elizabeth Moon Carter, The Salvation Army
Ms. Kelly Carter, Michigan Department of Attorney General
Ms. Joyce A. Dixson-Haskett, Daylily Health, LLC
Ms. Judy Emmons, Office of Senator Rick Outman; Emmons Farms
Ms. Alice Johnson, Neighborhood Legal Services of Michigan; Sister Survivor National
Connect
The Victim Services Committee continued work this year on developing and deploying
a Listening Tour to learn directly from survivors of human trafficking how best to
serve them. The Listening Tour will allow members of the Commission a chance to
hear, confidentially, from victims and survivors of labor and sex trafficking. The goal
of the tour is to invite a diverse group of victim and survivor voices to fully inform the
Committee’s conversation on what services are available, what services are needed and
how the delivery of those services can be improved.
The Committee received assistance from the Community Technical Assistance
Collaborative (CTAC), at the University of Michigan, a community-university partnership
that focuses on supporting nonprofits, schools, and governmental organization to
build capacity while meeting the educational goals of students. CTAC assisted in the
development of some of the support resources needed to conduct the Listening Tour
and they will also help to compile a report based on the feedback obtained in the pilot.
Although the report will protect participant’s confidentiality, it will provide a useful
summary and compilation of responses received.
The Committee convened its first Listening Tour pilot group in late December. As an
initial step, the Committee will incorporate the input from the pilot to shape and improve
the next two pilot sessions slated for early 2022. The Committee looks to complete
the pilot phase by mid-year with a view toward implementing the full Listening Tour to
be completed in late in 2022 or early 2023. The Committee looks to conduct ongoing
listening sessions on periodic basis in coming years.
–26–Continuing the 2020 theme of developing and deploying best practices, the Committee
identified and evaluated an existing resource developed through the Administration
of Children and Families. The “Guiding Principles for Agencies Serving Survivors of
Human Trafficking” is an extensive resource which encompasses the values adopted by
the Training and Education and Public Awareness Committees. In addition, the “Guiding
Principles” includes an extensive framework for assessing an organization’s compliance
with the principles as well as strategies for adopting and deploying the principles. The
Committee considered adopting the Guiding Principles in its entirety. However, after
consultation with stakeholders, the Committee determined stakeholder evaluation
and input would ensure successful adoption and deployment in Michigan. To that
end, the Committee convened a workgroup of state-wide victim service providers and
stakeholders to come together on a continuing basis to support implementation of the
Guiding Principles.
The workgroup met on a monthly basis throughout the second half of the year. The
workgroup is currently consulting with the authors of the original document for
guidance on implementation with the goal or recommending the adoption of their
work product in 2022. Once adopted and published, the Committee anticipates the
Commission will work with service providers and others to implement the best practices
and work toward crafting a framework for assessment.
“The Commission has gained even more momentum this year – in
the midst of another difficult year, a bright spot has been working
with my fellow Commissioners and witnessing their passion and
determination to enact change. The multi-disciplinary nature of the
Commission allows for deeper change to happen across the state,
which is crucial for this change to be effective. I feel fortunate to
have the opportunity to work on such an important cause with such
passionate people.”
-- Elizabeth Moon Carter, The Salvation Army
–27–CONCLUSION
Thank you to all the Commission members for their work during another year that saw
continued challenges and transitions. A special thank you to outgoing members of the
Commission whose terms ended on March 1, 2021: Ms. Shari Montgomery, the House
of Promise; Mr. David Leyton, Vice-Chair, Genesee County Prosecutor; Ms. Deborah
Monroe, Recovery Concepts of Michigan; and Ms. Fadowa Harrel. Thank you to the Office
of the Governor designee Alicia Moon, for her contributions until February 2021, and her
successor Jayshona Hicks until her departure in June 2021.
A special welcome back to Commissioner Kathy Maitland. Ms. Maitland had served as one
of the initial commissioners from 2015-2019. From 2019 through the beginning of 2021
Ms. Maitland continued with the Commission as a partner providing her valuable talent and
time. We were grateful and excited to welcome Ms. Maitland back as a commissioner with
her reappointment in March 2021.
The Commission also extends grateful appreciation to the following individuals who
contributed their time and talents to various committees throughout the year:
Ms. Kathy Maitland
Mr. Andy Soper
Mr. Kristopher McNeil
Ms. Margaret Talburtt
Ms. Aleksandra Andjelkovic
The Commission thanks the following individuals from the Department of Attorney General
for their work assisting the Commission:
Ms. Aleksandra Andjelkovic
Ms. Candace Black
Ms. Michelle Brya-Project Manager (outgoing)
Mr. David Cannon
Ms. Veneshia Cezil
Mr. Scott Damich
Ms. Meagan Elve
Ms. Harmony Glashower
Ms. Danielle Hagaman-Clark- Project Manager (incoming)
Ms. Karen Hall
Mr. Peter Kotula
Mr. Matthew Payok
–28–Finally, a very special thank you to Michelle Brya and Candace Black who supported the
Commission for the past seven years. The Commission is also pleased to welcome past
contributor Aleksandra Andjelkovic to the staff of the Department of Attorney General. In
her role of human trafficking victim advocate, Ms. Andjelkovic has been able to increase her
involvement and assistance with the Commission’s work.
“The Human Trafficking Commission has been energized by new commissioners with new
ideas, enhanced organization (including through leveraging technologies), and continued
support from community partners and the Department of Attorney General. It is an honor
to serve with such knowledgeable and dedicated individuals as we make progress on
several projects to shine a light on traffickers and assist survivors”
-- Forrest Pasanski, Vice-Chair, Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
–29–MI.GOV/HUMANTRAFFICKING
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